My parents, ages 78 and 89, commissioned a remodeling company to remove their existing tub and install a fully functional handicap shower. The work was very shabby requiring multiple post construction fixes, not to mention they pay in excess of $9000 (with no shower door). The company wants my parent to pay another $1400-$1500 for a door for the shower. Is it me or does this seem extremely pricey? When speaking to my parents neither of them seem to know what they signed and agreed to in the contract. All they can articulate is what they expected and the fact they did not get it. Any layperson can speak to my parents 5 minutes and realize they do not quite get it. Is there some type of law against practicing business in this manner?
I'm very sorry to hear what happened with your mom and dad. It is reprehensible to how some contractors take advantage of the elderly. I don't know if you can go through the Better Business Bureau in your area. Other options include the police if there is fraud involved or going to see an attorney. I know some news station have a Consumer reporter, so that might be another avenue to get some resolution for your concerns.
I would call around to other plumbers and contractors to check on the pricing and work to have a better idea if the price is right.
I hope your parents get their money back or at least get the shower they wanted.
I'm so sorry this has happened. I'd like 5 minutes alone with whoever did this to your folks.
There are lots of great ideas here! I would review the contract and do your best to work it out with the company, but there his never an excuse for Crappy Work. If they are unwilling to correct their shabby work, or make things right, I would take therm to small claims court. Hopefully your states small claims court maximum limit is ten thousand dollars, as somebody else had mentioned.
I suggest filing in small claims court. They have up to $10000 as their limit. Look on this chart for your state.
nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/small-claims-suits-how-much-30031
This type of thing is what it's for. Take pictures of the problems, write one page or less about what your complaint is, and show all the paperwork passed back and forth. Keep your complaint simple and it in your own words about what your asking him/her to make a judgement on.
IMO, you have three points to make; First is the method used to pressure your parents to buy what may be considered work that requires a new contract to complete without advising them fully of that point... and their ability to understand this. Second is failing to complete the contract in a reasonable and acceptable manner that would be fulfillment of the contract. Third, I would get two statements from other contractors about the condition of the project and cost to fix any problems. Courts like to have numbers to base their decisions on as it makes their job that much easier.
Have your parents there because the judge will want to talk to them to understand their current ability to make a reasonable decision that applies to this type thing. Any good court will have seen this more than once before and ask the right questions.
As to the shower door, if it was not in the original contract, your parents are under no obligation to have this company install one. You can call other companies to compare prices and hire someone else to install the door. It is always a good idea to get more than one estimate for any job.
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